The Wings have a long-term offer on the table to Hudler, who earned $1.15 million last season. Svoboda told Holland the Wings' offer was a good one. But it can't come close to matching Dynamo's offer, which is worth significantly more than the $2 million a year TSN is reporting. Plus, it's tax-free and heavily front-loaded.

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The Red Wings really need a goal-scoring, top-six forward now. That isn't happening because most of the quality free agents are gone and the Red Wings have minimal cap space anyways. Losing Hudler is tough for me because it appears Holmstrom isn't capable of playing on the top two lines anymore. That leaves Z, Pavel, Mule, Fil and Cleary and someone else (Leino?) to fill out our scoring lines. Our scoring depth has taken a major hit this summer.

That being said, if Hudler does indeed leave, I want Travis Moen. Stick him on the third line with Helm and let them cause havoc on the ice. We aren't getting a sniper for two million dollars so we may as well become a tougher team to play against.

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I bet they won't try for much at all. We'll see a lot of Helm, Abby and Leino next year. If anything happens, I bet Kenny Holland will trade for somebody mid-season.

I agree with you for the most part but I still think they put Abby in GR still. Wings have 5 centers already and they will want him getting more playing time in GR. I think they sign a couple low end free agents and save the rest of the deadline. That's still IF Hudler takes the deal. I thought Dats was gone and he came back. I'll wait till Hudler or Kenny say he WILL NOT be back.

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Keep Abdelkader in GR, sign Oulahen for cheap to play on the 4th line and PK and have Meech as the 13th forward. Then,

A. Save the extra cap space, and trade a defenseman for a pick and spend the extra cap space on one of the remaining FAs (although admittedly there won't be many left...)

B. Spend money getting a decent 3rd liner who can ideally hit, play defense, and score a few goals. Keep in mind that the Wings could spend more than 1.5 million, as long as Kenny sticks to his guns and trades a defenseman.

Or none of the above. You could keep Abdelkader in Detroit, and give him decent minutes (3rd line I guess) so that he doesn't stagnate.

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Keep Abdelkader in GR, sign Oulahen for cheap to play on the 4th line and PK and have Meech as the 13th forward. Then,

A. Save the extra cap space, and trade a defenseman for a pick and spend the extra cap space on one of the remaining FAs (although admittedly there won't be many left...)

B. Spend money getting a decent 3rd liner who can ideally hit, play defense, and score a few goals. Keep in mind that the Wings could spend more than 1.5 million, as long as Kenny sticks to his guns and trades a defenseman.

Or none of the above. You could keep Abdelkader in Detroit, and give him decent minutes (3rd line I guess) so that he doesn't stagnate.

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Very cheap FAs (who can hit, play defense, score, or ideally all three) include.

-Ville Peltonen, had a cap hit of 1.2 million. Can put up double digits in goals, though he's quite old. Then again, playing on Florida isn't going to do wonders for offense. Isn't big or a great hitter, but has guts (see fight against Artyukhin).

-Blair Betts, cap hit of 615k. Sound defensively.

-Manny Malhotra, cap hit of 1.2 million.

-Taylor Pyatt, 1.575 million. Had a 23-goal season in 06-07.

-Richard Zednik, 1.625 million. Had 17 goals in 70 games last year (in Florida).

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I don't know if he has been picked up over the past day or so - I have kinda been outta the loop. I know his name has been thrown around though - Mark Bell.

I understand his past legal issues but the kid has the potential to be a star. Scoring touch, more then willing to drop em when neccessary and great hockey sense. Unfortunately his off the ice sense has reason to be suspect - but I think that the Wings could really score a diamond here.

Not to mention the leadership from top down in the Wings organization that would help keep Bell in check. I just think that this could be a huge addition to the Wings - and for cheap.

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